Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

GLVIA3 is the third edition of the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, published in 2013 by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. It is the industry-standard methodology for assessing landscape and visual effects of development in the UK. The guidelines set out how to establish baseline conditions, predict effects, assess sensitivity and magnitude of change, and determine significance of impact. It is universally expected by planning authorities and inspectors.

Landscape effects relate to changes in the physical landscape and its character, meaning how the development alters the landscape as a resource. Visual effects relate to changes in the views available to people, meaning how the development appears from specific viewpoints. A development might have a significant landscape effect by introducing a new land use into a rural area without having a significant visual effect if it is well screened from public viewpoints, or vice versa.

Almost certainly. The NPPF gives great weight to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in AONBs (National Landscapes). Any development that could affect the character or appearance of an AONB will be expected to be supported by an LVIA demonstrating that the scheme conserves the designated landscape. Even minor developments visible from an AONB may require at least a landscape appraisal if not a full LVIA.

Photomontages are computer-generated images showing the proposed development inserted into an existing photograph taken from a specific viewpoint. They are produced using surveyed camera positions and calibrated photography to ensure accuracy. Photomontages are typically required for developments that will be highly visible, such as wind turbines, tall buildings, and large-scale developments in open landscapes. They help planning officers, committee members, and the public understand the visual impact.

Landscape character assessment is the process of identifying and describing the distinct character of different landscape areas based on their geology, landform, land cover, field patterns, settlement patterns, and perceptual qualities. Published landscape character assessments exist at national level through Natural England's National Character Areas and at county and district level through local landscape character studies. The LVIA draws on these published assessments as the baseline for evaluating landscape effects.

Cumulative effects consider the combined impact of the proposed development together with other existing, consented, and proposed developments in the area. This is particularly important for wind farms and solar parks where multiple schemes may affect the same landscape. The LVIA should identify relevant cumulative schemes, assess the combined effect on landscape character and visual amenity, and determine whether the cumulative impact is acceptable. Cumulative assessment requires careful scoping with the local authority.

Yes. Landscape mitigation planting is a primary tool for reducing visual and landscape effects over time. However, planting takes years to mature and cannot mitigate impacts in the early years after development. The LVIA should assess residual effects at different time horizons, typically at year 1, year 10, and year 15, to show how the impact changes as planting establishes. Planning authorities may require a detailed landscape mitigation scheme as a condition of permission.

The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) is a computer-generated map showing all areas from which the proposed development would theoretically be visible, based on terrain data. It helps identify the geographical extent of potential visual impact and informs the selection of viewpoints for the assessment. The ZTV is usually generated using bare-earth terrain data and does not account for screening by buildings or vegetation, so it represents a worst-case visibility scenario.

There is no legal right to a view in English planning law. However, the effect of a development on the outlook and visual amenity of residential properties is a material planning consideration. The LVIA assesses effects on residential receptors, who are classified as having high sensitivity. Significant adverse effects on residential amenity from a major development can weigh against granting planning permission, even though no individual has a legal right to preserve their existing view.

A Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) is a less formal assessment that uses the same GLVIA3 principles but typically does not assign formal significance ratings or follow the full matrix-based methodology of an LVIA. It is appropriate for smaller developments that do not require EIA and where a proportionate level of assessment is acceptable. An LVA provides professional judgement on landscape and visual effects without the full rigour required for an LVIA. Some planning authorities may accept an LVA where a full LVIA is not warranted.